Improvement in table-knives and forks



UNITED STATES PATENT GFFIGE.

IMPROVEMENT IN TABLE-KNIVES AND FORKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 116,412, dated June 27, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MATTHEW CHAPMAN, of Greenfield, in the' county of Franklin and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Table-Knives and Forks; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference bein g had to the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in table-knives and forks; and it consists in the application thereto, at about the heel of the blade, but preferably to the bolster, of a foot or rest adapted to support the blade above the table, being overbalanced thereon by the Weight of the handle. The said foot or rest is preferably arranged to support the blade vertically', edgewise,

With the cutting-edge lowermost; but it may be otherwise arranged in this respect, if preferred. The improvement is applicable to forks also.

The drawing is a perspective View of a tableknife having a foot or rest applied to it.

A represents the said foot or support, Which, in this instance, consists of a short rod attached to the bolster B, and projecting from it perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the knife in the plane of the blade C, the said projecting rod being split and the ends separated from each other laterally in respect to the knife to form two points of support, Whereon, together with the support afforded by the upper end of the handle, the blade of the knife will be supported, as indicated in the drawing, clear of the table, and in the position most favorable for taking the handle in the hand for use. In the application to forks the said foot will project perpendicular to the plane of the tines. The support A may be made in any preferred shape and attached to the bolster in any approved Way; or it may be forged out of the blank of Which the bolster is composed, together with it.

It is intended to apply this improvement to carving-knives and forks more particularly than others; but itis also desirable for the ordinary table-knives, and will be applied to them also.

It is preferable to have the handles of knives and forks with this improvement widened at the upper ends in the direction of the shortest diameter of the blade, to have a broad rest on the table thereat, for the more permanent support of them against falling down upon the side; but it is not absolutely essential.

I am aware that it is not new to provide the shank of a carving-fork with a spur or projection to subserve the purpose of a fulcrum, and I therefore make no claim to such invention; but

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- Table-knives and forks having a foot or rest applied to the bolster, or thereabout, adapted to support the blade or tines in the manner de scribed, said blade or tinesbeing overbalanced by the handle, all substantially as specified.

MATTHEW CHAPMAN. Witnesses:

GEO. W. MABEE, T. B. Mosman. 

